[Kaworu had been expecting something simple. A further compliment about his musical skills or newly discovered talent for surprise parties. But words coming from Paul's mouth (from his heart) make Kaworu feel oddly frozen in time and space.

Can he really be kind? Does he even understand kindness? He's rarely experienced kindness in his life. Mostly, he knows it to be the opposite of cruelty. But does that mean he knows what it is to be kind?

It makes him curl up a little, burying his face into the crook of Paul's neck as if to avoid being seen, even though Paul can't even see him at this angle and obscured by his own attempt to hide. Kaworu is silent a time measured in heartbeats as well, hand resting over Paul's heart and the other still firmly entwined with his.]

I didn't know that about myself. I think... that's why humans need others. To see things they can't. Even mirrors... those aren't true images of you.